Abstract: A mechanism for fabricating microfluidic channels uses a three-dimensional inkjet printing unit to print the channels layer-by-layer on a substrate. In one embodiment, for each layer, an inkjet head deposits droplets of a hydrophobic material on a surface the substrate in a pattern lying outside a two-dimensional layout of the channels, and another inkjet head deposits droplets of a mixture of poly(tetrahydropyranyl methacrylate) PTHPMA (or another hydrophobic material which hydrolyzes to form a hydrophilic material) and a photoacid generator (PAG) on the surface of the substrate in a pattern lying inside the two-dimensional layout of the channels. After all layers are printed, flood exposure of the entire substrate to UV radiation releases acid from the PAG which hydrolyzes PTHPMA to form hydrophilic poly(methacrylic acid) PMMA, thereby rendering the PTHPMA regions hydrophilic. The layers of these now-hydrophilic patterned regions together define the microfluidic channels.

Abstract: The chip stack of semiconductor chips with enhanced cooling apparatus includes a first chip and a second chip electrically and mechanically coupled by a grid of connectors. The chip stack includes a thermal interface material (TIM) between the first chip and the second chip. The TIM includes nanofibers aligned parallel to mating surfaces of the first and second chips, and a thermosetting polymer that when heated, will reduce the viscosity of the TIM to allow for optimal alignment of the carbon nanofibers. The method includes adding at least one thermosetting polymer to the TIM, dispersing nanofibers into the TIM, and heating the TIM until the thermosetting polymer un-crosslinks. The method further includes applying a magnetic field to align the graphite nanofibers and cooling the TIM until the thermosetting polymer re-crosslinks.

Abstract: Controlled release of one or more agricultural chemicals is provided by microcapsules adapted to rupture in a magnetic field. The microcapsules, which may be applied to soil, seeds and/or plants, each have a shell that encapsulates an agricultural chemical, such as a fertilizer, herbicide or insecticide. One or more organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles is/are covalently bound into the shell of each microcapsule. For example, (3-aminopropyl) trimethylsilane-coated magnetite nanoparticles may be incorporated into the shell of a urea-formaldehyde (UF) microcapsule during in situ polymerization. In one embodiment, microcapsules encapsulating a fertilizer are applied during seed planting. Controlled release is subsequently triggered after an appropriate period of dormancy by positioning a magnetic field generating device proximate the microcapsules to generate a magnetic field sufficient to rupture the microcapsule shells through magnetic stimulation of the organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: An enhanced chelator includes a chelating agent and a volatile material encapsulated in a biologically benign microcapsule. The enhanced chelator possesses significantly improved shelf-life in aqueous biological buffer solutions because the chelating agent is encapsulated in the microcapsule and, therefore, separated from solution components with which the chelating agent would react. The enhanced chelator is activated at a predetermined elevated temperature defined by the boiling point of the volatile material. At this predetermined elevated temperature, the volatile material exerts a vapor pressure sufficient to rupture the microcapsule and thereby release the chelating agent from the microcapsule. In one embodiment, a manganese chelator such as ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) is solubilized in ethanol and encapsulated in a poly(lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microsphere. Upon heating to 80° C.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computing device including a card edge contact system is provided. A card edge connector housing for receiving a card is provided. A substrate is provided and spaced a distance away from a housing base portion of the card edge connector housing to form a space therebetween. Contact pins collectively defining an upper contact section, a lower contact section and a compliant section connecting the upper and lower contact sections are disposed within the card edge connector housing and the substrate. The upper contact section has an open end with a restricted contact portion for contacting the card. The resilient, compliant section is disposed within the space and is configured to compress to absorb a force from the substrate that would otherwise be transmitted to the upper contact section via the lower contact section.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computing device including a card edge contact system is provided. A card edge connector housing for receiving a card is provided. A substrate is provided and spaced a distance away from a housing base portion of the card edge connector housing to form a space therebetween. Contact pins collectively defining an upper contact section, a lower contact section and a compliant section connecting the upper and lower contact sections are disposed within the card edge connector housing and the substrate. The upper contact section has an open end with a restricted contact portion for contacting the card. The resilient, compliant section is disposed within the space and is configured to compress to absorb a force from the substrate that would otherwise be transmitted to the upper contact section via the lower contact section.

Abstract: An enhanced thermal interface material (TIM) gap filler for filling a gap between two substrates (e.g., between a coldplate and an electronics module) includes microcapsules adapted to rupture in a magnetic field. The microcapsules, which are distributed in a TIM gap filler, each have a shell that encapsulates a solvent. One or more organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles is/are covalently bound into the shell of each microcapsule. In one embodiment, (3-aminopropyl) trimethylsilane-coated magnetite nanoparticles are incorporated into the shell of a urea-formaldehyde (UF) microcapsule during in situ polymerization. To enable easy removal of one substrate affixed to another substrate by the enhanced TIM gap filler, the substrates are positioned within a magnetic field sufficient to rupture the microcapsule shells through magnetic stimulation of the organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for a system that removes excess thermal energy from a datacenter. In one embodiment, the system includes a modular holding container with highly thermally conductive surfaces capable of installation in any of multiple receiving points of the datacenter. Two substances are released into the holding container and are mixed creating a liquid solution and causing an endothermic reaction. The resulting reaction transfers thermal energy from the datacenter air to the new solution. The liquid solution is then pumped out of the datacenter, where it can be passed through a dialyzing membrane or an evaporation chamber, which separates the liquid solution into its two original substances.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for a system that removes excess thermal energy from a datacenter. In one embodiment, the system includes a modular holding container with highly thermally conductive surfaces capable of installation in any of multiple receiving points of the datacenter. Two substances are released into the holding container and are mixed creating a liquid solution and causing an endothermic reaction. The resulting reaction transfers thermal energy from the datacenter air to the new solution. The liquid solution is then pumped out of the datacenter, where it can be passed through a dialyzing membrane or an evaporation chamber, which separates the liquid solution into its two original substances.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for a system that removes excess thermal energy from a datacenter. In one embodiment, the system includes a holding container with highly thermally conductive surfaces installed in the warmest area(s) of the datacenter. Two substances are released into the holding container and are mixed creating a liquid solution and causing an endothermic reaction. The resulting reaction transfers thermal energy from the datacenter air to the new solution. The liquid solution is then pumped out of the datacenter, where it can be passed through a dialyzing membrane or an evaporation chamber, which separates the liquid solution into its two original substances.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for a system that removes excess thermal energy from a datacenter. In one embodiment, the system includes a holding container with highly thermally conductive surfaces installed in the warmest area(s) of the datacenter. Two substances are released into the holding container and are mixed creating a liquid solution and causing an endothermic reaction. The resulting reaction transfers thermal energy from the datacenter air to the new solution. The liquid solution is then pumped out of the datacenter, where it can be passed through an evaporation chamber, which separates the liquid solution into its two original substances.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for a system that removes excess thermal energy from a datacenter. In one embodiment, the system includes a holding container with highly thermally conductive surfaces installed in the warmest area(s) of the datacenter. Two substances are released into the holding container and are mixed creating a liquid solution and causing an endothermic reaction. The resulting reaction transfers thermal energy from the datacenter air to the new solution. The liquid solution is then pumped out of the datacenter, where it can be passed through a dialyzing membrane or an evaporation chamber, which separates the liquid solution into its two original substances.

Abstract: A card connector having a housing with a receiving slot and connector pins are provided. An expansion card having docking well regions, contact pads, and backup contact pads is inserted in the receiving slot. The connector pins are connected to the docking well regions on the expansion card. The expansion card is coupled to a servomechanical device that can slide the expansion card to connect the connector pins with the contact pads. Connector pins and contact pads are coated with an interface material that is subject to wearing. Worn interface material can cause weak electrical connections between connector pins and contact pads. Thus, a card connector with a servomechanical device is provided to slide an expansion card within a receiving slot of the card connector for an improved electrical connection between connector pins and contact pads.

Abstract: A flame retardant filler having brominated silica particles, for example, imparts flame retardancy to manufactured articles such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), connectors, and other articles of manufacture that employ thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics. In this example, brominated silica particles serve both as a filler for rheology control (viscosity, flow, etc.) and a flame retardant. In an exemplary application, a PCB laminate stack-up includes conductive planes separated from each other by a dielectric material that includes a flame retardant filler comprised of brominated silica particles. In an exemplary method of synthesizing the brominated silica particles, a monomer having a brominated aromatic functional group is reacted with functionalized silica particles (e.g., isocyanate, vinyl, amine, or epoxy functionalized silica particles).

Abstract: Thermal insulating materials and methods of making the thermal insulating material generally include a plurality of thermally reversible crosslinked polymer modified particles. The thermally reversible crosslinked polymer modified particles include a polymer containing a plurality of a first functional group; and a modified particle having a plurality of pendent cross-linking agents containing a second functional group, wherein the first functional group and the second functional group are complementary reactants to a reversible cross-linking reaction.

Abstract: Sulfur contaminants, such as elemental sulfur (S8), hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur components in fluids (e.g., air, natural gas, and other gases, as well as water and other liquids) are removed using a silicone-based chemical filter/bath. In one embodiment, a silicone-based chemical filter includes a membrane having a cross-linked silicone that is a reaction product of an olefin and a polyhydrosiloxane. For example, sulfur contaminants in air may be removed by passing the air through the membrane before the air enters a data center or other facility housing computer systems. In another embodiment, a silicone-based chemical bath includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a chamber containing a silicone oil. For example, sulfur contaminants in air may be removed by passing the air through the silicone oil in the chamber before the air enters a data center or other facility housing computer systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reversibly adhesive thermal interface material for electronic components and methods of making and using the same. More particularly, embodiments of the invention provide thermal interface materials that include a thermally-reversible adhesive, and a thermally conductive and electrically non-conductive filler, where the thermal interface material is characterized by a thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/m-K or more and an electrical resistivity of 9×1011 ohm-cm or more.

Abstract: A system for predicting a fan failure has a sensor to detect a gas emitted from grease in the fan. A concentration level of the emitted gas is indicative of grease degradation. The system also has circuitry coupled to the sensor to compare the level of the detected gas to a predetermined level. The system also has an alert apparatus coupled to the circuitry to generate an alert after the circuitry determines that the level of the detected gas exceeds the predetermined level.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing dynamic noise elimination. A system frame includes a plurality of acoustical sensory devices monitoring the system for problem frequencies. The system frame includes a plurality of tubes. When the tube is open, airflow is allowed. When identified tubes are closed, quarter-wavelength attenuation is provided for a frequency in a range of frequencies, based upon a length of the tube when closed. Each of the plurality of tubes is selectively controlled to be operable open or closed at a particular length, responsive to identified problem frequencies.

Abstract: A mechanism for fabricating microfluidic channels uses a three-dimensional inkjet printing unit to print the channels layer-by-layer on a substrate. In one embodiment, for each layer, an inkjet head deposits droplets of a hydrophobic material on a surface the substrate in a pattern lying outside a two-dimensional layout of the channels, and another inkjet head deposits droplets of a mixture of poly(tetrahydropyranyl methacrylate) PTHPMA (or another hydrophobic material which hydrolyzes to form a hydrophilic material) and a photoacid generator (PAG) on the surface of the substrate in a pattern lying inside the two-dimensional layout of the channels. After all layers are printed, flood exposure of the entire substrate to UV radiation releases acid from the PAG which hydrolyzes PTHPMA to form hydrophilic poly(methacrylic acid) PMMA, thereby rendering the PTHPMA regions hydrophilic. The layers of these now-hydrophilic patterned regions together define the microfluidic channels.